Junior Team GB athlete
“I loved every minute of college – it was great!”
Beth joined college from Egglescliffe School in 2010 and enrolled onto the college’s BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science. Throughout the course, Beth juggled time in college with intensive training for rowing and worked tirelessly to secure a place on the Junior Team GB squad. Since leaving college, Beth has won gold at the Youth Olympics in Sydney, Australia and won silver in the women’s 8s in the U23 World Rowing Championships.
Maximo Park
“My two years at college were really enjoyable. I spent a lot of time developing skills that served me well at Art college and university.”
Paul studied A-levels in Art and Design, Biology, English Language and General Studies during his time at college. He is now the lead singer of alternative rock band Maximo Park, and has enjoyed chart success since early 2004. (Photo: Ian West).
BBC Tees
“I am forever grateful to the college for the faith and belief they had in me.”
Rob joined college on a Level 2 programme, studying at college for three years. He gained his GCSE qualifications before achieving A-levels in ICT, Media Studies and Sociology. Rob went on to university and now works as a Broadcast Journalist at BBC Tees.
Race Engineer, Williams F1
“The staff at SSFC were great and a massive part of why I got into Oxford and am where I am today.”
Dave left college in 1995 after studying A-levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computing. After graduating from Oxford University, Dave spent time working in the local engineering industry before joining McLaren Mercedes F1 in 2008. He worked as race engineer for former world champion Jenson Button from 2012-2014 before moving to Williams F1, where he works as race engineer to Felipe Massa. Dave very kindly visited college in April 2012 to speak to current students about routes into engineering and working for one of the most exciting sports in the world.
Marketing Student and Assistant Brand Manager at Muller
“The opportunities I was given at Stockton Sixth Form have opened pathways for me to pursue my dream.”
Lizzie joined college from Red House School and studied Art and Design, English Language and Maths. Lizzie became President of the Student Council in her first year and served as a student governor for over eighteen months. As well as achieving BBB grades, Lizzie managed the college’s Young Social Entrepreneur competition across two years, a business project which helped raised over £20,000 for charities across the North East. Lizzie now studies Marketing at Aston University and has secured a prestigious placement year at Muller.
Intermediate Capital Group plc
“The support I received opened my eyes to a world of opportunities and made me realise that attending Oxford was a realistic and achievable ambition.”
David Ford studied at Stockton Sixth Form College from 1990-1992, studying A-level Biology, Chemistry and Maths. He progressed on to Brasenose College, Oxford from 1992-1996, leaving with a Masters qualification in Biochemistry. He currently works for Intermediate Capital Group plc., a specialist investment firm in London, as Head of Credit Research.
Medic
“I thoroughly enjoyed college. It opened up a world of opportunities for me.”
Ex-Ian Ramsey student Sophie studied Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Spanish and was given the opportunity to travel to Spain to complete a paid work experience placement on the Costa Brava coast in her final year. Sophie excellent in her courses and achieved AABB in her final exams, as well as an A* in her Extended Project on the NHS. Sophie is now reading Medicine and Surgery at the University of Liverpool.
Musician, Cattle & Cane
“I feel really lucky because I received a lot of support and encouragement from the college to pursue my career in music.”
Helen joined Stockton Sixth Form from St. Patrick’s Catholic College in Thornaby, choosing to study A-levels in Business, English Language and Sociology. She makes up one fifth of successful local band Cattle & Cane. Heavily championed by BBC Introducing, Cattle & Cane performed at T In The Park and BBC Radio 2 ‘Live in Hyde Park’ before they’d even released their debut single.
Actor
“Guidance from college staff put me in a fantastic position to secure my place at LAMDA.”
A talented actor, Callum joined college from Ian Ramsey School and studied English, Media and Theatre Studies. Callum went on to study at one of the country’s most prestigious performing arts centres, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), before securing a leading role in ITV drama ‘The Durrells’, which aired in April 2016.
Natural Sciences graduate – Cambridge University
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of the college.”
Ex-Grangefield student Beth Vickers (above, left) joined us in 2010 to study Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths. Beth enhance her second year at college by studying an AS-level in Critical Thinking and achieved A*A*A*AA in her final exams, securing her place at Cambridge University to study Natural Sciences.
BBC Five Live
“Without doubt the pathway the college helped me carve out for myself was vital in my successes on and off the track.”
Allison left college with A-level qualifications in Biology, General Studies, Sociology and Sports Science, and had an athletics career spanning over ten years from 1991-2003. After competing nationally and internationally in both Commonwealth and Olympic Games, Allison retired from Athletics to become director of her own events company, Extra Mile Media and Events, and a freelance Athletics Summariser for BBC Five Live.
Fashion student and blogger
“Going to Stockton Sixth Form College was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Ellie joined college in 2010 from Ian Ramsey School and studied Double Applied Business and ICT. A keen fashion follower, Ellie secured her place at the University of Central Lancashire to study Fashion Brand Management and Photography and now runs a successful and widely followed online fashion blog.
Medic – Durham University
“With the help of my teachers and the PaCS enrichment, I was able to overcome hurdles and secure my place at university.”
Jordan joined college from Thornaby Academy in 2011, studying Biology, Chemistry and Psychology A-levels. A member of the college’s Pathway to Clinical Sciences enrichment, he secured his place to study Medicine at Durham University (Gateway) after achieving BBB in his final exams, alongside an A* grade in his Extended Project Qualification.
Entrepreneur and founder of theunistore.co.uk
“I felt a level of trust and belief from all of my teachers, motivating me to live up to their high expectations.”
Ex-student Jason juggles his Business Management and Finance studies at Northumbria University with running his own business, founded in his first year at university.
Freelance Journalist
“Delving into my favourite subjects at the college was made all the more worthwhile because of the brilliant teachers who kept us all engaged and sparked lively debate in the classroom. Their passion for their subjects rubbed off on us all and made lessons interesting, varied and most definitely fun.”
Former Thornaby Academy (or Bassleton as it was known then) pupil Suzanne Bearne gained straight As in her History, English Literature and Sociology A-levels at Stockton Sixth Form College. After studying History at university, she crammed everything she could into her backpack and travelled for 15 months across the world. Ditching the flip flops and fisherman trousers, she moved to York and then London to pursue a career in journalism. She’s now a freelance journalist and writes for titles including the Guardian – where she currently holds a part-time commissioning editor role – the BBC, The Telegraph, The Big Issue and Women’s Health. The extended gap year created a thirst for working and living overseas and she has since clocked up stints in New York, South America, Berlin and Lisbon.
Megan Clark, ex-Northfield School
Ofsted, 2014
Ofsted, 2014
Dave Robson, race engineer for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 and ex-student
Jordan Laing, ex-Thornaby Academy student
Rebecca Appleyard, ex-Macmillan Academy student